
Ford Motor Company owns three brands: Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. In earlier years, Ford possessed eight renowned automotive brands: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mazda, and Aston Martin. Among these, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Volvo have been sold and no longer belong to the Ford brand. Below are the relevant introductions: Lincoln: Since 1939, when U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt was in office, Lincoln vehicles have been chosen as presidential cars by the White House due to their outstanding performance, elegant styling, and unparalleled comfort. The most 'famous' model is the parade car used by President Kennedy. Notable Lincoln products include: MKC, MKZ, 'Continental', 'Mark VIII', 'Town Car', and 'Navigator'. In China, most Lincoln sedans used are from the 'Town Car' series. Mercury: In the mid-1930s, Ford's management recognized a market opportunity between the economical Ford cars and the luxurious Lincoln vehicles. Consequently, the Mercury brand was developed in 1935 to target the mid-range car market, with Mercury products officially launched in October 1938. On June 3, 2010, Ford Motor Company officially announced the discontinuation of the Mercury brand due to declining market demand.

Ford's current automotive brands are primarily Ford and Lincoln. Ford is the brand that focuses on pickup trucks and SUVs, such as the famous F-150 or the Mustang, catering to those who value practicality and off-road capabilities. Lincoln, on the other hand, is Ford's luxury division, offering a comfortable and quiet driving experience, with SUVs like the Navigator being particularly popular. In the past, Ford also owned international brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, and Aston Martin, but sold them off in the 2000s because Ford felt managing too many diverse brands was cumbersome and wanted to focus on strengthening its core business. This transformation has allowed Ford to respond more flexibly to market changes, such as introducing new products in the electric vehicle sector, like the Mustang Mach-E, and there may be more innovations in the future. Having been in the automotive industry for a long time, I think this strategy is quite wise—simplicity often proves more effective.

Looking back, the most familiar brands under Ford are Ford itself and its upscale sibling Lincoln. Ford covers everyday vehicles, ranging from economical models to rugged off-roaders, while Lincoln focuses on comfort and luxury, with models like the Aviator being well worth a try. Ford also once managed some prestigious brands like Jaguar, which it acquired in 1989 but later sold to Tata Motors in 2008. Similarly, Land Rover and Volvo also followed suit, ultimately allowing Ford to streamline and move forward unburdened. In my younger days driving, I loved discussing these shifts—Ford's leaner structure allowed it to focus more on the North American market, launching more localized models like the Bronco series. This strategic adjustment helped it maintain competitiveness.

Ford's core automotive brands consist of two main divisions: Ford and Lincoln. Ford targets the mass market with a diverse lineup of practical vehicles ranging from compact cars to pickup trucks, while Lincoln represents the luxury segment, offering prestige and enhanced comfort. Ford has divested other brands like Jaguar and Volvo and no longer manages them, allowing the company to focus on prioritizing new technologies, such as the electric Mustang in the era of electrification. I take these factors into consideration when choosing a car—simplicity and clarity make the selection process easier.

From a global perspective, Ford's current leading brands are Ford and Lincoln. Ford enjoys widespread popularity across regions, such as pickup trucks in the Americas or compact cars in Asia; Lincoln focuses more on the premium market. In the past, Ford controlled brands like Jaguar and Land Rover but divested them, allowing these brands to find their own paths. Today, Ford is more focused on innovation and regional demands, such as the Ranger pickup series in Southeast Asia. While tracking automotive trends, I've observed that this focused strategy enables Ford to respond more swiftly to changes, such as its push into the electric vehicle sector.


